Why is it that whenever something special is planned, our Land Rovers pick that very moment to let us down?
It’s a cold, bright morning and I’m due to meet up with a mate from the Land Rover Series One Club to get a section of the chassis of Plimsoll, my 88-inch Series I, tidied up – the nearside rear bump stop support is rusty and needs replacing. Plimsoll hasn’t been on a decent run since his visit to Nene Valley Railway for a gala day a few weeks ago, so it’ll be good to blow away the cobwebs on the two-hour trundle deep into the Fens to where my pal lives.
I don’t get beyond the end of the road. The brake pedal sinks to the floor, taking my heart with it as I only just manage to stop at the junction. Not good.
I drive gingerly back home and don my overalls before phoning to cancel Plimsoll’s appointment with Messers Angle Grinder and MIG Welder. Ever the optimist, I’m hoping it’s just a duff seal in one of the wheel cylinders; I might still make it over to East Anglia this afternoon.
No such luck. A quick scan underneath fails to locate any signs of a leaking wheel cylinder, i.e. brake fluid dripping from a brake drum or dark, damp stains on the back plates.
This story is from the February 2018 edition of Land Rover Owner.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2018 edition of Land Rover Owner.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
All The Wiser...
…but all the poorer too. José learns the hard way what not to do when buying a D3 at an ‘unbeatable’ price
Spray Up And Pay Up
James tots up his Discovery’s to-do list...
Pleasure Cruiser
This show-winning beauty proves that P38s aren’t always trouble
Sam Watson - The Over Lander
A puncture in the middle of nowhere can leave more than just the tyre deflated. Sam, as usual, offers wise words – and some bitter experience
Peter Galilee - The Knowledge
Peter assesses the Department for Transport’s review of MoT exemption for some old vehicles – and guess what? He concludes that they make very little sense...
John Pearson - Our Man At Large
Dodgy windscreen wipers, dodgy bacon rolls, a fantasy Land Rover wishlist and an inspirational fellow adventurer are all on JP’s radar this month
Tray-Mendous!
What? Take a double-cab 110 and chop it into a trayback? How’s that going to work? Brilliantly, as it turns out – just ask Jerry Thurston
Truck Of The Irish
It’s taken nine long years, but Aussie-based Irish expat Eamon Tierney has finished rebuilding his 107 pick-up. And it’s a belter
The Tinkerer
Banished from practising his famous tinkering skills in the Christmas Day kitchen, Jerry found the perfect way to keep out of everybody’s way until the turkey was ready
The Knowledge
This month: vehicle paperwork and owners’ handbooks. Never let it be said that Peter doesn’t seek out topics for his column that are designed to thrill and excite…
